ISSUE NO. 39 APRIL 05 published by Joe Renna for the Sons of Peterstown Sports Club SINGING THE PRAISES OF DON ARNONE o many people spend years learning to play an instrument and never perform Sin front of an audience, or even before another person . The self fulfillment must be so high that it trumps the effort. Don Arnone had a fulfilling life playing the guitar and, along the way, became one of the best in the business . Given the number of aspiring musicians, one can only imagine how exceptional the artists that rise from the pack really are. Some artists reach a level that only a few others can achieve, or even understand. They serve as the goal for others to aspire too. Their abilities are innovative and go beyond were others have gone. Their accomplishments are used to measure greatness in others. One such person from Peterstown achieved this recognition as a jazz guitarist. He is Don Arnone, Arnone was known as the “Founding Father of the New York Session Scene.” Though he played lead guitar on some of the most popular song titles known, he was never in the spotlight. People would perk up when they hear the list of artists he performed with, Sinatra, Crosby, Dinah Washington, Tony Bennett, Sarah Vaughn, Perry Como, Julie Andrews, Jackie Wilson, Aretha Franklin, Bette Midler and Barbara Strisand. The list is endless, and spans sixty years. It didn't matter what the style of music was or the age of the rest of the band, Don Arnone was who everyone (above, l-r) Peterstown native, Joe (LaBracio) Long was wanted. Even rockers would be in awe of his ability, though they only needed to play three chords in their hit songs. one of the Four Seasons, along with Frankie Valli, Bob The true gauge of Don Arnone’s talent came from the the industry. Gaudio and Tom DeVito. There were some very well known guitarists, who achieved a level of fame beyond their circle of peers. Musicians like; Tony Mottola, Al Caiola, George Van Eps and Django Reinhardt. These men can do things with a guitar that no one else can. Don played with the finest musicians around in his time, like Tal Farlow, Stan Getz, and Toots Theisman. When asking the best who they thought is the best, Don Arnone’s name was mentioned. Before MTV there were variety shows. The most popular entertainment venue in the 50’s. Arnone’s played them all. His TV credits read like a history of broadcasting. Shows like The Ed Sullivan Show, Dick Van Dyke, Mitch Miller, The Steve Allen Show, The Jack Parr Show and Arthur Godfrey used Don. His demand was so high that he couldn’t commit to just one show. When Rock music started to sell big he had an entire new generation of musicians who wanted him in their studios. Don Arnone started playing when he was 13, mainly because his father always spoke about wanting to play himself but never did it. What Arnone had that in him that no one else had is a question for the ages. What made him different from the rest must be devine. There is no other way to explain the ability he developed over months that others could take a lifetime to achieve. Don used his success to inspire and teach youngsters looking to learn. His hard work and determination paid off. It is an inspiration for young artists to see the accomplishment of Arnone considering he grew up in an environment no different from their own. One doesn't have to start off privileged to achieve personal fulfillment. (left, l-r) Three of the best ever: Tony Mottola; Peterstown native, Don Arnone and Bucky Pizzerelli on the set of the Mitch Miller Show. LETTER POLICY Around About Peterstown welcomes Letters to the Editor at our postal, fax or e-mail addresses. Letters must include sender’s name, address and phone number (only name and town will be printed). Letters should be typed. Letters appear as space permits. We reserve the right not to print a letter April 05 without notifying sender. Around About Peterstown is published by Joe Renna. Fifteen thousand newspapers are printed and distributed Dear Joe and all my friends around Peterstown, Dear "Around About Peterstown", bi-monthly, free throughout the County of Union and Every time I get this paper I read the letters and stories of I finally got around to ordering your wonderful parts unknown and by subscription across the country. some of my lifetime friends in the Burg. The latest was the newspaper. I'm not Italian, nor did I live in "The Burg", but Although great care has been taken to ensure the Evangilista family Carmen, Flo and Candy who were my I was married for nearly 50 years to Joe (Spike) DiSpirito --- information contained within is accurate, Around About next door neighbor when I lived at 332 Amity street over the and so some say, "When you marry Italian, you become Peterstown assumes no liability for errors or omissions. bakery shop. Italian". Joe grew up on First Avenue and his father, Frank Around About Peterstown welcomes the comments and I worked for the Petrillos bakery at that time making and DiSpirito, owned a luncheonette for years on Elizabeth concerns of its readers put into writing and sent to: delivering bread. That was a lot of fun. I also was an alter Avenue. Joe had such pride in his roots, and thought that AROUND ABOUT PETERSTOWN boy at St. Anthony's Church for about eight years. almost all Italians were like his brothers. He instilled this pride 202 Walnut Avenue I remember watching my first championship fight on TV at in his four children as well. Cranford, NJ 07016 the Crestlin Boys Club. I think they were the first ones to Joe worked for years at Koplin pontiac-just a short (908) 709-0530 have a TV in the Burg. At that time it was located in Skinny distance from Peterstown. I would venture to say he visited Fax: (908) 709-9209 Albano’s Building, he was like a second father to me. He and Peterstown almost every day or evening --- just to see old E-mail: [email protected] his family took me to a lot of places. friends. Can you pass on my Email and address to all my friends I enjoy reading your paper, because I recognize many of JOE RENNA Publisher / Editor in the Burg and around the country? I would surely like to the names and stories Joe talked about. Sometimes I wish that heare from them. I had the rich heritage of growing up in "The Burg". Your TINA RENNA Thank you, A Burg Boy Forever, paper is a real treasure. Copy Editor Frank Nigro Thank you, 414 NW. 71st. Rosemary DiSpirito Kansas City, Mo. 64118 Elizabeth, NJ My Email [email protected] ST. ANTHONY’S DRAMA CLUB UP TO NUNSENSE SONS OF PETERSTOWN SPORTS CLUB 412 South 7th Street The St. Anthony's Drama Club Elizabeth, NJ 07202 presents the musical JOHN SACCO "NUNSENSE" President Friday, April 22, 2005 at 8:00 pm JIM PALERMO Saturday, April 23rd at 8:00 pm Vice President Sunday, April 24th at 3:00 pm at Dwyer's Auditorium LOUIS L aBRUTTO Secretary Elizabeth High School (corner of Pearl and Bridge Street) JACK LABRUTTO Tickets: $12.00 adults Treasurer $10.00 children 12 and under SAL PICCARELLA For information call: 908-351-3300 Sergeant-at-Arms (above, l-r) Nunsense Cast rehearsing: Danielle Ristorski, President’s Nicole Karas, Lilianna Custodio, Melyssa Searly, Rosmary Message Frnandez, Roxanne Tourkay and Marie Comerford. Family bs 18th Annual ne 5th is the clu Ju dars and plan to Mark your calen Picnic. e last year’s y, it feels like th attend. Funn st it feels st month. At lea icnic was just la gether p put the picnic to of hard work to n y. It takes a lot who volunteer i that wa club members ke to thank the te food, and I would li those who dona lso like to thank a ance. I would a nic happen. It's adv to make this pic ents or money be possible refreshm and it wouldn’t he community free picnic for t elp. and Willy without your h anny Carravano ll be honoring M This year we wi orkers and edicated City w Both men are d enever a call LaMorte. community wh e needs of the with responded to th ho has worked urage anyone w r made. We enco g them friend o was leasure of callin d enjoyed the p them or ha ello. e out and say h neighbor to com (above, l-r) Director Father Vince, Choreographer Gil Grant, God bless. Thank you and Assistant Director Michael Faccone, Music Director Mark Kingston esident John Sacco, Pr 18th Annual PRESS RELEASES Press Releases that benefit the community of Peterstown are offered free of charge. Every effort Family Picnic will be made to accommodate appropriate articles when time and space allows. Send any info in early. Willy LaMorte Manny Carravano Sunday, June 5, 2005 Each year at our picnic the Sons of Peterstown honors 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm ADVERTISERS: CALL TINA RENNA individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the 908-709-0530 at the community through their work and good deeds. This years Sons of Peterstown Clubhouse www. Visit our website. honorees are Manny Carravano and William LaMorte. Leave a message LaMorte retired form the City of Elizabeth after forty years of 412 South Seventh Street on our Peterstown service.